Sensor-actuated mask-enhanced digital video frame

ABSTRACT

A framed collectible for displaying a continuously-looping playback of a digital video file is provided, wherein a display panel is controlled by a display controller to play at least one video file in a continuous loop on the display panel only while an output signal from a magnet sensor indicates no proximity to a magnet proximal to the back side of the display panel. The display controller has a printed circuit board that incorporates at least one processor and at least one memory that contains at least one video file. The memory, which in an embodiment can be flash memory, is factory programmed and therefore the memory content cannot be changed by an end user. Packaging for storage and shipping of the framed collectible is also provided, which incorporates a magnet that is sensed by the magnet sensor to keep continuously-looping video playback switched off while the device is stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 17/381,884, having the same title, filed Jul. 21,2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 17/024,942, having the same title, filed Sep. 18, 2020, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/902,197, having the same title, filed Sep. 18, 2019, all of which areincorporated by reference, as if expressly set forth in their respectiveentireties herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This patent application generally relates to framed collectibles thatdisplay the contents of one or more video files. More particularly, thepresent disclosure provides a framed collectible having a memory that isprogrammed once with digital video content at the factory or otherpre-consumer/end user location, and a power switch system that switchesthe device power on, playing the video content on a continuous loop,when the collectible is initially removed from its packaging. Theenclosure of the framed collectible also incorporates an intermediarymask layer, or overlay, that can be made of a material and cut to apattern that is can be designed to display certain portions orattributes of the content on the display panel underneath. The patternto which the intermediary mask layer is cut effectively creates activeand inactive areas of the display panel of the framed collectible, andthe choice of material used to form the intermediary mask layer can havea degree of translucency that adds texture to the active pixels of thedisplay panel. As described below, the intermediary mask layer is partof the artwork.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Framed collectibles, picture frames, and other personal photographicmementos have been around to provide enjoyment and warm reminiscencesfor a long time. Since the advent of conventional photography usinglight-sensitive films in the nineteenth century, the desire to visiblyand prominently display photographs that were of aesthetic, historical,or personal significance has led to the use of picture frames to displaythe photographs, which previously had been used to display works of artor prints thereof. In the past, these were static images which, oncemounted in the frame, required a manual process to change the photographbeing displayed. The appearance of digital cameras and digital pictureframes in the 1990s allowed some flexibility in the selection ofpictures to display, as a user of the digital frame could load an arrayof digital photos or conventional photographs converted to digitalformat, into the digital frame, limited only by the storage capacity ofthe digital frame. These standard digital picture frames were limited inthat the images displayed were static, and the active display of theimages involves the use of a manual power switch.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a framed collectible that is a vastadvance in capability over the digital frames of the past. It offers aframed collectible comprising a frame-enclosed display assembly having amask-enhanced display panel and display controller, wherein the displaycontroller includes a processor and a memory and operates to play videoclips in a continuous loop when actuated by a sensor integral to theframe. Embodiments of the disclosure provide sensors including magnetsensors, ambient light sensors, and motions sensors. The packaging ofthe frame-enclosed display assembly can include a magnet which, whensensed by a magnet sensor integral to the framed collectible, keeps theframed collectible from performing continuous-loop video playback whileit is in the package for storage or shipment. The memory is programmedonly once at the factory, and in an embodiment can take the form offlash memory. This feature makes it possible to create editions of thedigital data stored in memory on the device. The intermediary mask layeror overlay is manufactured in a pattern that covers a portion of thefront side of the display panel in the range of 0% to 100%, and it isretained in place against the front side of the display panel by a frontplate that has a clear lens. The intermediary mask layer can be made ofa translucent material to permanently add texture to the active pixelsof the display panel, or it can be cut to create active parts of thedisplay panel as well as non-active parts of the display, wherein theintermediary mask layer partially or fully obstructs parts of the activepixel area.

In another aspect, an exemplary method of forming an intermediary masklayer for use in a framed collectible includes the steps of:

-   -   obtaining source digital video content to be used in a framed        collectible;    -   providing the source digital video content as an input to a        software module that analyzes video content to determine        parametric functions of the video content, including but not        limited to video content focal points, video content densities,        and video content velocities as functions of time;    -   guided by the parametric functions of the source digital video        content, fabricating the intermediary mask layer to produce a        pattern that will enhance or highlight the source digital video        content when played back on a display panel of the framed        collectible.        The source digital video content is provided as an input to a        software module that analyzes video content to determine        parametric functions of the video content, including but not        limited to video content focal points, video content densities,        and video content velocities as functions of time. It is        envisioned that exemplary parametric functions can include, but        are not limited to, outline/shape detection, face detection        and/or body silhouette recognition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures illustrate exemplary embodiments andare not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. Among thedrawing figures, like references are intended to refer to like orcorresponding parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of aframed collectible of the present disclosure, shown prior to assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of the framedcollectible's display controller of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a further perspective exploded view of an embodimentof the framed collectible according to the present disclosure, shownwith an embodiment of the packaging of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is front elevation view of one exemplary framed collectible;

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a front elevation view of one exemplaryframed collectible;

FIG. 6 is a photograph showing front elevation view of another exemplaryframed collectible;

FIG. 7 is front elevation view of a back plate of the framed collectibleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back plate of the frame collectibleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a top portion of the perspective viewshown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure concerns a framed collectible for the home oroffice that incorporates a memory, such as a flash memory, topermanently capture images or video for replay within the framedcollectible.

As a further advantage, the framed collectible described herein isshipped in packaging that advantageously keeps the battery in an OFFstate while the package is stored or in transit to its ultimatedestination, the user/buyer. This is accomplished by means of asensor-actuated power cutoff that keeps the battery circuit open whilethe framed collectible is still in the stream of commerce. Once the useropens the package and removes the framed collectible, the batteryassumes an ON state and power is delivered to the frame collectibleresulting in the display thereof being powered on.

Referring to FIG. 1, the framed collectible 100 of one implementation ofthe present disclosure is shown in an exploded view, prior to assemblyinto the finished product. The core of the framed collectible 100 is thedisplay assembly 102, which has a front end 104 and a back end 106. Adisplay panel 108 integral to the display assembly 102 is proximal toits front end 104 and incorporates a front side 110 for displaying adigital video image and a back side 112. Suitable display panels includebut are not limited to thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal displays (TFTLCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, and electronic paperdisplays. A display controller 114 is electrically connected to thedisplay panel 108 and situated proximally to the display panel's backside 112. The display controller 114 comprises a printed circuit boardhaving at least one processor and at least one memory that contains atleast one video file. The memory is factory programmed, with the resultthat the content of the memory cannot be changed by an end user of theframed collectible 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the memory isa flash memory. In other words, the memory is a factory programmedmemory and the player of the present invention does not have a data portto allow the user to write to the memory. The user can only simply playthe media. Thus, the consumer has no access right (since there are nodata ports or the like) and instead, the memory is factory programmed.In one embodiment, the memory can be of a WORM type (write once, readmany), which refers to data storage media that can be written to once,but read multiple times or alternatively it can comprise some form ofsolid state read-only memory (ROM) originally programmed by amanufacturer. It will be appreciated that other types of memory can beused so long as the end user does not have access rights to the memoryand thus cannot alter the content of the memory.

The processor controls the display panel 108 to play the at least onevideo file in a continuous loop on the display panel.

The display controller 114 can also electrically connected to a magnetsensor 116 located within the display assembly 102, proximal to its backend 106. The magnet sensor 116 generates an output signal that indicatesproximity or lack of proximity to a magnet, for, as described herein,controlling the powering up of the framed collectible 100. The displaycontroller 114 uses the magnet sensor 116 output signal to determinewhen to trigger continuously-looping video playback. As describedherein, the initial storage/transportation setting is an off-setting inwhich no power is provided. Specifically, when the output signal of themagnet sensor 116 indicates no proximity to a magnet, the displaycontroller 114 switches on the continuously-looping video playback.Alternative arrangements for a sensor configured to trigger the displaycontroller 114 to perform continuously-looping digital video playbackinclude various types of environment sensors that trigger playback inresponse to a sensed event in the framed collectible's environment.Examples of environment sensors include but are not limited to ambientlight sensors and motion sensors. These types of sensors can be used toboth initially activate and control subsequent actuation of the framecollectible 100 after removal from its packaging.

The display assembly is then surrounded by elements of a frame 118which, when engaged and sealed, form the functional enclosure that isthe framed collectible of the present disclosure. The frame 118 consistsof a front plate 120 proximal to the front end 104 of the displayassembly 102, which has a front side 122, a back side 124, and a clearlens 126. The front plate can be made of clear plastic or acrylic. Theframe 118 also incorporates an intermediary mask layer 128 having afront side 130 and a back side 132, wherein the edges of theintermediary mask layer 128 describe a pattern that covers a portion ofthe front side 110 of the display panel 108. The portion of the displaypanel's front side 110 that the intermediary mask layer 128 is patternedto cover can be in the range of 0% to 100%. The intermediary mask layercan be made of an opaque or a translucent material, possible materialsincluding but not limited to paper, plastic, metal, and wood. The frontside of the intermediary mask layer 128 can be decorated with coloringor a custom print, and it can include voids that create a custompattern. The back side 132 of the intermediary mask layer 128 isretained in place against the front side 110 of the display panel 108 bythe back side 124 of the front plate 120. A back plate 134 has a frontside 136 and a back side 138 and is proximal to the back end 106 of thedisplay assembly 102. The back plate 134 can be made of materialsincluding but not limited to clear plastic or acrylic, wood, cardboard,and opaque plastic, and the back plate can be decorated with coloring ora custom print 137 to enhance the visual effect of thecontinuously-looping digital video. A battery compartment 140 isprovided integral to the frame 118 and electrically connected to thedisplay controller 114 and to an external charging/AC power port 142(e.g., a USB port or the like) integral to the frame 118. In oneembodiment, the battery compartment 140 is not accessible to the enduser but rather comprises a concealed compartment.

The framed collectible is then assembled by engaging the parts asfollows, listed in order from front to back: the front plate 120, theintermediary mask layer 128, the display assembly 102, and the backplate 134, and then sealing the assembled framed collectible 100 to forman enclosure. The framed collectible enclosure can optionally be placedin an external decorative frame (not shown), such as a picture frame,surrounding the frame 118 of the framed collectible 100. The externaldecorative frame can be made of materials including wood, plastic, ormetal. The present disclosure also provides a stand (not shown) to holdthe external decorative frame firmly in place at a specific angle,wherein the stand can include inductive changing circuitry to power theframed collectible 100 when the external decorative frame is seated inthe stand. Alternatively, other means for displaying the framecollectible are possible, such as hanging the frame collectible on awall. The rear face can thus have a recess or whole that can receive afastener, such as a hook, that is inserted into the wall.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the display controller 214 isshown, wherein the display controller incorporates a playback controller244 configured to read video data from the at least one video file inthe at least one memory 246. As described herein and according to oneimplementation, the playback controller 244 reads the video data whenthe output signal of the magnet sensor 216 indicates no proximity to amagnet. The display controller also incorporates a display driver 248configured to receive video data from the playback controller 244 andtransmit the video data to the display panel 208, along with commands tocontrol a display panel backlight. A further aspect of an embodiment ofthe display controller 214 is the inclusion of a battery chargecontroller 250, which is electrically connected to the batterycompartment 240 and to the other components of the display controller214. The battery charge controller 250 charges the battery when anexternal power source is connected, and supplies power to all componentsof the display controller 214 as well as components that areelectrically connected to components of the display controller 214. Theframe collectible 100 is initially charged when placed in its packagingso that during storage it maintains a charge and after the initialreveal, the framed collectible 100 stays powered for quite some timedepending upon the type of batteries. For example, the framedcollectible can be powered on continuously for at least 1 hour andpreferably 2 or more hours. Since the content of the framed collectible100 is fixed, when the frame collectible 100 is powered up, the powersource powers the continuous looping of the stored one or more videos.

FIG. 3 shows a further aspect of the present disclosure, whereinpackaging 352 is provided that is designed to prevent operation of theframed collectible 300 when it is not being displayed such as duringstorage and/or transportation. The packaging 352 protects the framedcollectible 300 during storage and shipping, and the packaging 352comprises a magnet 354 that aligns in proximity with the magnet sensor316 of the framed collectible 300 when the framed collectible isproperly and fully inserted into the packaging 352, resulting in amagnet sensor output signal that causes the display controller to switchpower to off, ceasing video playback. Thus, after the collectible 100 ischarged, the collectible 100 is placed into the packaging 352 which canbe in the form of a box or the like that has a recessed area for holdingthe packaging 352. The magnet 354 lies within this recessed space. Asmentioned, the positioning of the magnet 354 within the packaging 352 ismade in view of the location of the magnet sensor 316 on the collectible100 since when the framed collectible 100 is placed within the packaging352, the magnet 354 and magnet sensor 316 align or are in closeproximity since this is the means by which the frame collectible 100 ispowered down. As mentioned, the frame collectible 100 has no userinterface and therefore has no control buttons such as an on/off switchor button according to one implementation. The only user interactionwith the collectible 100 is the powering operation in which a power cordcan be plugged into the external charging/AC power port 142.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are views of an exemplary frame 118 that indicate anexemplary configuration and placement of an external charging/AC powerport 143. As shown, the external charging/AC power port can beconfigured as an oval or oblong opening positioned toward on corner ofthe back plate 134 of the framed collectible 100. The externalcharging/AC power port 143 can comprise a USB or another otherappropriate standard coupling for receiving electrical power from acorresponding USB or other connector.

One aspect of the framed collectible 100 is that once the consumer (enduser) removes the framed collectible 100 from the packaging 352, theframed collection 100 comes to life and awakes from its dark, off stateand the fixed content (one or more videos) begins playing. This actionreveals the content of the framed collectible 100 since the userinitially only sees a static, often black screen before the framedcollectible 100 is lifted from the packaging.

The present disclosure also provides a method of forming an intermediarymask layer 128 to be used in a framed collectible 100, wherein themethod begins when a user obtains source digital video content to beused in the framed collectible. The user then provides the sourcedigital video content as an input to a software module that analyzesvideo content to determine parametric functions of the video content,including but not limited to video content focal points, video contentdensities, and video content velocities as functions of time. Guided bythe parametric functions of the source digital video content, theintermediary mask layer 128 is then fabricated to produce a pattern thatwill enhance or highlight the source digital video content when playedback on a display screen of the framed collectible. The processes usedto fabricate the intermediary mask layer include but are not limited todie-cutting, etching, and printing.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show different framed collectibles with different exemplaryintermediate masks layers 128. FIG. 4 shows a frame collectible that isgeared towards a cartoon lover in that the intermediate mask layer 128comprises a cartoon strip within one or more areas of the cartoon stripbeing removed from the intermediate mask layer 128, thereby creatingdirect access to the underlying display panel 108. These open areaswithin the mask layer 128 are in registration with active areas of theunderlying display panel 108 and therefore, any video content displayedin these active areas of the display panel 108 are visible through theopen areas of the mask layer 128. For example, one or more bubbles 129above one or more sections of the cartoon can be interactive in that thebubble comprises a cut out in the intermediate mask layer 128 and fixed(looping) video content is displayed. This fixed video content can be inthe form of text (words) and/or graphics. When in the form of a seriesof words, the words can be displayed successively within the bubble in acontinuous looping manner. The cartoon strip can also include anotheropening 131 formed through the mask layer 128 through which videocontent in an active region of the display panel 108 is displayed. Forexample, as shown, spewing lava can be shown in looped video formed inthe opening 131, while the volcano base is formed as fixed content ofthe mask layer 128 (e.g., printed or painted matter, etc.).

FIG. 5 shows another example in which the intermediate mask layer 128 isformed of an opaque material is formed to resemble a face with the eyes133 being cutouts formed in the intermediate mask layer 128, therebycreating direct access to the underlying display panel 108. These openareas within the mask layer 128 are in registration with active areas ofthe underlying display panel 108 and therefore, any video contentdisplayed in these active areas of the display panel 108 are visiblethrough the open areas of the mask layer 128. Since these areasrepresent the eyes of the face, the video content can be in the form ofcontinuously blinking eyes and/or video content depicting eye movementin a continuous looping manner. Since the intermediate mask layer 128 isopaque, the dynamic content of this framed collectible 100 can becarefully tailored to one or more target areas, such as the entiresilhouette of the head or to only the eye areas. Areas that surroundthese dynamic areas are represented by the static area of the mask layer128.

Based on the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the display panel108 can be considered to have active areas (regions/pixels) andnon-active areas. The one or more videos stored in memory are thus onlydisplayed within the active areas and the non-active areas are blank (novideo is displayed). The non-active areas can be covered with theintermediate mask layer 128. However, the active areas must be at leastpartially in registration with the open areas of the mask layer 128 soas to allow the video content to be seen. For any given collectible 100,plural discrete active areas can be provided within the display panel108. For example, in the cartoon example of FIG. 4, more than onecartoon bubble can be dynamic and represented by active areas of thedisplay panel for display content, such as graphics and/or text.

It will also be appreciated that the intermediate mask layer 128 cansimply be a decorative border that surrounds the display panel 108 asshown in FIG. 6 or in another implementation, the mask layer 128 can betransparent, semi-transparent or translucent and covers the entiredisplay panel 108 (e.g., a rice paper disposed over the entire displaypanel 108). This provides not only an aesthetic feature to the framedcollectible 100 but also adds a tactile feature as well.

It will be appreciated that there is a vast amount of fixed content thatcan be placed on the intermediate mask layer 128, such as decorativedesigns, texts, graphics, etc. The mask layer 128 can be personalizedrelative to the stored video content. For example if the video comprisesa video clip of a sports event, then the personalized content that canbe part of the mask layer 128 can be a name of the sports team and/oridentifying information, such as the date of the event, the player'sname, the location of the event, etc. Similarly, if the video clip is asunset at a favorite location of the end user (See, FIG. 6), such as afamily cottage or the like, the information on the mask layer 128 caninclude the location of the family cottage, etc. and can include othergraphics such as seashells, etc. in the event of a sunset over water,etc.

The invention encompassed by the present disclosure has been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof,and which show, by way of illustration, example implementations and/orembodiments. As such, the figures and examples above are not meant tolimit the scope of the present application to a single implementation,as other implementations are possible by way of interchange of some orall of the described or illustrated elements, without departing from thespirit of the present disclosure. Among other things, for example, thedisclosed subject matter can be embodied as methods, devices,components, or systems.

Moreover, where certain elements of the present application can bepartially or fully implemented using known components, only thoseportions of such known components that are necessary for anunderstanding of the present application are described, and detaileddescriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted soas not to obscure the application. In the present specification, animplementation showing a singular component should not necessarily belimited to other implementations including a plurality of the samecomponent, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification orclaims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitlyset forth as such. Further, the present application encompasses presentand future known equivalents to the known components referred to hereinby way of illustration.

Furthermore, it is recognized that terms used herein can have nuancedmeanings that are suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitlystated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used hereindoes not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “inanother embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to adifferent embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subjectmatter can be based upon combinations of individual example embodiments,or combinations of parts of individual example embodiments.

The foregoing description of the specific implementations will so fullyreveal the general nature of the application that others can, byapplying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (includingthe contents of the documents cited and incorporated by referenceherein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications suchspecific implementations, without undue experimentation, withoutdeparting from the general concept of the present application. Suchadaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within themeaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed implementations, basedon the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understoodthat the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation, such that the terminology orphraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by theskilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein,in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).It is to be understood that dimensions discussed or shown of drawingsare shown accordingly to one example and other dimensions can be usedwithout departing from the present disclosure.

While various implementations of the present application have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detailcould be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above-described example implementations, and the invention is to beunderstood as being defined by the recitations in the claims whichfollow and structural and functional equivalents of the features andsteps in those recitations.

What is claimed:
 1. A framed collectible for displaying acontinuously-looping playback of a digital video file, the framedcollectible comprising: a display assembly having a front end and a backend, comprising; a display panel proximal to the front end of thedisplay assembly and comprising a front side for displaying a digitalvideo image and a back side; a magnet sensor proximal to the back end ofthe display assembly; a display controller proximal to the back side ofthe display panel and electrically connected to the display panel andthe magnet sensor, the display controller comprising a printed circuitboard having at least one processor and at least one memory thatcontains at least one video file, wherein the memory is factoryprogrammed and therefore the content of the memory cannot be changed byan end user, and wherein the processor controls the display panel toplay the at least one video file in a continuous loop on the displaypanel only while an output signal from the magnet sensor indicates noproximity to a magnet; a frame comprising: a front plate proximal to thefront end of the display assembly and comprising a front side, a backside, and a clear lens; an intermediary mask layer comprising a frontside and a back side and patterned to cover a portion of the front sideof the display panel, the portion in the range of 0% to 100%, whereinthe back side of the intermediary mask layer is retained in placeagainst the front side of the display panel by the back side of thefront plate; a back plate proximal to the back end of the displayassembly and comprising a front side and a back side; and a batterycompartment integral to the frame and electrically connected to thedisplay controller and to an external charging/AC power port integral tothe frame, wherein the framed collectible is assembled by engaging thefollowing, listed in order from front to back: the front plate, theintermediary mask layer, the display assembly, and the back plate, andthen sealing the assembled framed collectible to form an enclosure. 2.The framed collectible as in claim 1, further comprising an environmentsensor configured to trigger the display controller to initiatecontinuously-looping digital video playback in response to a sensedevent in the framed collectible's environment.
 3. The framed collectibleas in claim 2, wherein the environment sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of: ambient light sensor and motion sensor.
 4. The framedcollectible as in claim 1, wherein the memory is flash memory.
 5. Theframed collectible as in claim 1, wherein the display panel is selectedfrom the group consisting of: thin-film-transistor liquid-crystaldisplay (TFT LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and electronicpaper.
 6. The framed collectible as in claim 1, wherein the displaycontroller comprises a playback controller configured to read video datafrom the at least one video file in the at least one memory when theoutput signal of the magnet sensor indicates no proximity to a magnet;and a display driver configured to receive video data from the playbackcontroller and transmit the video data to the display panel, along withcommands to control a display panel backlight.
 7. The framed collectibleas in claim 1, wherein the display controller further comprises abattery charge controller, electrically connected to the batterycompartment and to the other components of the display controller, andwherein the battery charge controller charges the battery when anexternal power source is connected, and supplies power to all componentsof the display controller and components that are electrically connectedto components of the display controller.
 8. The framed collectible as inclaim 1, further comprising packaging to protect the framed collectibleduring storage and shipping, wherein the packaging comprises a magnetthat aligns in proximity with the magnet sensor of the framedcollectible when the framed collectible is properly and fully insertedinto the packaging, resulting in a magnet sensor output signal thatcauses the display controller to switch power to off, ceasing videoplayback.
 9. The framed collectible as in claim 1, further comprising anexternal decorative frame surrounding the frame of the framedcollectible.
 10. The framed collectible as in claim 9, wherein theexternal decorative frame is made of a material selected from the groupconsisting of: wood, plastic, and metal.
 11. The framed collectible asin claim 9, further comprising a stand to hold the external decorativeframe firmly in place at a specific angle, wherein the stand can includeinductive changing circuitry to power the framed collectible when theexternal decorative frame is seated in the stand.
 12. The framedcollectible as in claim 1, wherein the front plate can be made of clearplastic or acrylic.
 13. The framed collectible as in claim 1, whereinthe front side of the intermediary mask layer can be decorated withcoloring or a custom print, and wherein the intermediary mask layer caninclude voids that create a custom pattern.
 14. The framed collectibleas in claim 1, wherein the intermediary mask layer can be made of anopaque or a translucent material.
 15. The framed collectible as in claim1, wherein the intermediary mask layer is made of a material selectedfrom the group consisting of: paper, metal, and wood.
 16. The framedcollectible as in claim 1, wherein the front side of the back plate canbe decorated with coloring or a custom print.
 17. The framed collectibleas in claim 1, wherein the back plate is made of a material selectedfrom the group consisting of: clear plastic or acrylic, wood, cardboard,and opaque plastic.
 18. A method of forming an intermediary mask layerfor use in a framed collectible, the method comprising the steps of:obtain source digital video content to be used in a framed collectible;provide the source digital video content as an input to a softwaremodule that analyzes video content to determine parametric functions ofthe video content, including but not limited to video content focalpoints, video content densities, and video content velocities asfunctions of time; guided by the parametric functions of the sourcedigital video content, fabricating the intermediary mask layer toproduce a pattern that will enhance or highlight the source digitalvideo content when played back on a display panel of the framedcollectible.
 19. The method as in claim 18, wherein the step offabricating the intermediary mask layer to produce a pattern uses aprocess selected from the group consisting of: die-cutting, etching, andprinting.
 20. A framed collectible for displaying a continuously-loopingplayback of at least one digital video file, the framed collectiblecomprising: a digital display assembly having: (a) a screen fordisplaying the at least one digital video file and (b) a displaycontroller comprising a printed circuit board having at least oneprocessor and at least one memory that contains at least one digitalvideo file, wherein the memory is factory programmed and therefore thecontent of the memory cannot be changed by an end user; a framecomprising: a front plate proximal to the front end of the displayassembly; an intermediary mask layer comprising a front side and a backside and patterned to cover at least a portion of the screen surface; aback plate proximal to a rear of the digital display assembly; and apower source operatively connected to the display controller.